Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives and transformed the ways we communicate, collaborate and learn. Faculty and staff are no exception to this trend. Many use social media to enhance teaching, research and professional networking. However, social media also poses unique challenges and risks, such as privacy violations, ethical dilemmas and harassment.
Be respectful
Anything you post on behalf of your unit reflects on the institution. Be professional and respectful at all times and don't engage in arguments or extensive debates with naysayers online.
Be transparent
Transparency on social media is important because it fosters trust, credibility, and accountability in online communication. Make it clear that it is an institutional channel.
Listen
Being a consumer of social media is essential to your ability to be a successful producer of social media content. “Listen” to online conversations on your preferred tools – be they blogs, Linkedin, Facebook or anything else — to maintain a clear and current understanding of what is relevant and of interest to your audience.
Be active
Social media presences require diligent care and feeding. If your unit doesn't have the time or resources to check on these sites at least a few minutes each day and post fresh content several times a week, reconsider social media use at this time. Your unit's channel is only as interesting as your last post — if that post is several months old, visitors will consider your feed out of date.
Be timely
One of the great benefits of social media is the ability to share information almost instantly with a vast audience. This timeliness is also one of the expectations of that audience. Be prepared for situations to progress quickly. A short amount of accurate information delivered at the time of need can sometimes be more valuable than a full report delivered well after the fact.
Online is forever
Think before you post, remembering that anything you share within social media, even within a closed network, is not private. It can and will be shared, stored and spread globally. Don’t post anything online you wouldn’t feel comfortable seeing on the front page of a newspaper.
Be alert to potential threats to Temerty Medicine’s reputation
If you see a post or comment that you think requires or would benefit from an official response, please notify the office of communications.
Be a valued community member
Don’t just talk about your program or department – share the best information you find from trusted sources outside of Temerty Medicine. This will increase the value of your channel and also will ensure you are a valued member of the community and are not just tooting your own horn.
Report bad behaviour
If you see abusive behaviour online, each platform has a way to report the source account. If the behaviour doesn't meet the reporting standard but is disagreeable, you reach out to the office of communications for advice.
Privacy and Reporting Harassment
Community Guidelines
Community guidelines on social media are a set of rules and standards that govern user behaviour and promote a safe, respectful and inclusive online community. They vary depending on the social media platform and may include rules about posting content, commenting, messaging, sharing and engaging with other users. The guidelines typically prohibit behaviour that is illegal, harmful, offensive, or disruptive, such as hate speech, harassment, spam, fake news, nudity or violence. They may also define the consequences of violating the guidelines, such as warnings, suspension, or termination of the user's account.
Privacy Settings
Privacy settings on social media are a crucial aspect of managing your online presence and protecting your personal information from unauthourized access or misuse. Social media platforms provide a variety of privacy settings that allow users to control who can see their posts, updates, photos, and other information, as well as limit the amount of data collected and shared with third-party apps or advertisers. Understanding and adjusting your privacy settings can help you balance your need for social interaction and self-expression with your right to privacy and security.
Location Settings
Location settings are used to share your geographical location information with the social media platform and other users. By turning on location settings, you allow the social media app to track your location using GPS or Wi-Fi signals and add location tags to your posts or updates. This feature can help people discover new places or events, connect with friends nearby, and customize their social media experience. However, it's important to be aware of the privacy implications of sharing your location data, as it can reveal your movements, habits, and even your home address. It's recommended to review your social media location settings and adjust them according to your preferences and security needs.
Reporting
Reporting users on social media refers to the process of flagging and notifying the platform's administrators of any abusive, offensive or harmful behaviour or content posted by others. Reporting users helps to keep social media communities safe, civil and respectful by enforcing the platform's community guidelines and policies. The reporting process may involve providing evidence, such as screenshots or links, and describing the issue in detail. After receiving a report, the social media platform may investigate the issue and take appropriate action, such as removing the content, suspending or banning the user's account or notifying law enforcement.
2-Factor Authentication
Two-Factor Authentication, or 2FA, protects online accounts by requiring provide two forms of identification at log in. The two factors typically used are a password or PIN and a message sent to a mobile device or a one-time use code provided by a third-party authenticator app. By requiring both factors, 2FA makes it more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access your account even if they have obtained your password.
If you are a Temerty Medicine unit experiencing issues on your channels, please contact roberta.brown@utoronto.ca for support.